Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-27

ISDAY, OCTOBER p,
THE WHITE RIBBON WOMEN.
Their Fight Against the Liquor Traffic
and Impure Literature.
CLOSE OF THE ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE W. c. T.
U.-REsoLUTIoNs CALLING FOR PROHIBITION IN THE
DIsTRIcT-AH ACCOUNT OF TIE CRUSADE AGAINST
THE ''NUDB IN ART"
The thirteenth annual meeting Of the W. c. T.
q. OF the District was closed at Waugh NJ L church
yesterday afternoon. Mrs Perley called attention
to the badge Of the union-the white ribbon-and
the necessity OF its being worn by every member
OF the socfety Mrs Dr. Risley presented S to the
pope ana help department. contributed by q
daughter VINO was thankful because her mother
had been reclaimed from the drink habit Mrs
Clark made report OF the evangelistic work, and
Mrs Annie l. Bovee reported the work In the de-
partment OF hygiene and heredity. Mrs. Hen
drickson made report OF the prison and JAN work.
Miss Josie Lee recited poem. Mrs. Nellie Brad
ley reported the work done by the department for
the suppression OF impure literature. Mrs Deane
~ made report on the use OF unfermented wine in
churches; and report by Mrs. whitney ON lit
erature was read by The secretary. Mrs. Deane's
report stated that out OF 54 churches 43 OF them
USED the unIermented wine in communion.
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Miss Kessler, as chairman of the committee on
resolutions reported series Of resolutions, which
were adopted. The resolutions recognized with
gratitude the wondrous advance made in the great
cause OF temDeranct In this District; the public
ranks have been Increased and every department
of our work strengthened" returned thanks to
God for His continued blessing in their efforts; de-
the manufacture and sale OF alcoholic liquors are
pronlDlted throughout the nation" and set forth
that as "the evils OF the liquor trafc under wncn
strong arm or the law" they therefore petitloned
Congress ITO pass prohbitory law for this Dis
trct, and that we heartily endorse and sustain our
"that the determined and persistent
efforts a,s Of Of the allied forces Of tn. liquor
tramc, TO destroy the sanctity of our Sab
baths and sanctuaries, and d. prive US OF these
holy privileges be most earnestly resisted. Also
meeting grounds on the Sabbath, thereby en-
courag1ng the running OF excursion trains" Joy
was expressed at "the wonderful awakening In
the. question OF legal prohibition OF the nQuor
traffic, and hearty sympathy was pledged to the
undertaking TO rear the Temperance temple in
tiOnal WOman's Christian Temperance Union.
1t was resolved, alsO "that alcoholic wine ought
not to be used In the administrator of the sacra-
ment OF the Lords table, as we deem 1t a sacriIege
TO use as an emblem OF Chrsts blood that which
We consider impure and unit to use In our own
homes" The resolutions also thanked the officers
OF the organization for their work, expressed
appreciation OF 'tne consideration accorded our
cause the past year by the President OF the United
states, Col. John NJ. Wilson, and other high
0f1ciais," and thanked the press OF the city and
the clergy.
Mrs. q. Z. Gilbert presented a memorial to the
memory OF Hon. JOnn b. Finch, and also q report
OF the JuvenAe department.
THE CRUSADE ON CIGAR-sroRE PICTURES.
The report OF Mrs. Nellie II. Bradley, superin-
tendeat OF the department for the suppression Of
impure literature and art, gave an account OF the
work done In the ''new crusade" during the past
year. when" the report said, "your superin-
search, that q law was In existence strong enough
and comprehensive enough to cover the evils this
department was designed to combat; she presented
STAR fuli expression OF our wishes and opinions
on this subject, which called forth thanks and
lowed by the distribution OF three circular letters
one to cigar Dealers another to news dealers, and
Third TO school teachers, each containing
printed copy OF the statute referred to. As soon
as the public generally became aware OF the ex-
iStence or the law and the efforts OF this depart
ment for Its enforcement, requests came from
books and pictures be suppressed, and the mail
brought TO me mz1ny specimens or these depraved
productions. These were submitted TO the assist.
ant attorney for the District, VINO admltted That
they came within the scope OF the law, but was
doubtful II a jury could De found that would con-
vict. In one case only did he give any encourage
mept to hope for q conviction, and that hope has
long since died lingering death, as no action has
ever been taken In connection with the case. FIRE.
authorities became necessary as the work broad
ened and developed in its different phases. And
WIZ say In passing, that the duties or this depart
ment do not lead through ftOwery ways and among
pleasant scenes. but compel one to seek out and 70
face unriinchingiy repulSiye and revolving objects
that reveal the awful depravity OF human nature,
grading sishtS and the sad and pitiIul scenes Of
The police station and courtroom.
THE EFFECT OF THIS AGITATION
was to arouse public attention, for the first time
In the history OF this CITY, to the nature and eX-
tent OF the rapidly multiplying and diabolical de-
morals OF the young OF both sexes. The RESPONSES
to the circular letters addressed to cigar and news
dealers We're most gratifying. Indecent pictures
and demoraliziny literature disappeared from
many windows, principally in the central portion
OF tue city, voluntarily removed by dealers, some
of whom wrote pleasant lett rs TO your superiu-
tendent thanking her for calling their at entlOn to
what one oT them termed u vile business prac-
uce.' A beautiful, hindso.aely framed picture
was received Irom prominent tObLcconlst, with
an offer OF his services To aid in enforcing the law,
and kindly expressions Of encouragement and ap-
proval through the columns Of the daily press and
from other sources indicated that our work Was
not in vain. Public school teachers became I'M err
esied, anl Miss Mary Rowe, principal or the Sea-
TN BuiiiihS, personally addressed the thirteen
schools under her supervision on this subject
OBSTACLES IN THE WAY.
Opposition and defiance from vtolatorS OF the
statute; harsh criticisms and ridicule from admir-
ers OF the nude In art and a strange unwiiing-
ness on the part OF certain officials to prosecute
offenders, are among the many obstacles which
have met US word to the police has usually
produced the desired effect upon the class lirSt
named. The art critics received their reply
through the medium OF The EVENING STAR Of
March 80. But The most Formidable obstruction
lists are the officials who discourage all attempts
10 Drng 10 justice offenders OF the stamp this law
is designed 70 reach. Hereafter the grand jury
will receive our complaints and our charges,
and we have reasons TO believe our appeal
sent Il from the anu ctty % for the a' Sensi,t n a OF
my health since July 9, have not been able to
prosecute personally the work OF this department.
but occasional paragraphs In 1Hg EvEaING STAR
have Indicated that our friend and helper, Lieut.
AmiSS, was rulhihhg the promise given me ere my
departure. TO do all in his power to enIo.ce the
law whose influence has already been so widely
and benenctaiiy ielt."